Apply for Local Transition and Media Projects (Armenia)

This program aims to support democracy and human rights, using the Czech Republic’s experience with the social transition and democratization. The Czech Republic is also one of the founding members of the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), a community of states that proactively advocate for media freedom, the safety of journalists and media workers, and speak out against impunity for those who attack journalists or prevent them from practicing their profession.

Local Transition Projects (LTP) are one of the instruments of the transition promotion program of the Czech Republic. Projects are identified by the respective Embassies of the Czech Republic (through applications submitted by potential implementers) and approved by the headquarters – Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs (CZ MFA).

Topics

• In line with the Human rights and Transition Promotion Policy Concept of the Czech Republic, project proposals should focus on the following topics:
  • Civil society – support to civil society including human rights defenders.
  • Information – support freedom of speech, access to information, media freedom and independence.
  • Participation – promotion of citizens’ involvement in public decision-making processes at all levels (local, regional, national).
  • Rule of law / legal state – support the development of democratic institutions.
  • Equality – support equality and non-discrimination.
  • Support to human rights in connection with employment and/or environment issues.
  • Only in case of projects aimed at supporting independent media: projects can be aimed at direct support to proven media outlets that adhere to the basic principles of editorial independence and are facing a difficult financial situation. The projects should focus in particular on the direct support of these media, rather than on strengthening the professional capacity of journalists, which should already be significant and guaranteed at the chosen media outlet. The project may also focus, for example, on media education, including fight against disinformation. The support can take place either indirectly through cooperation with a local NGO, or in the form of direct cooperation with the respective media outlet. Each applicant may submit only one proposal.

Funding Information

• The foreseen budget per project is 100000 – 500000 CZK (roughly 4000 – 20000 EUR).

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must be a registered local subject with legal personality in Armenia, whose basic activity is not profit making.
• Implementer must be eligible to sign a contract with the CZ MFA that establishes jurisdiction of Czech laws and Czech courts.
• They also strongly encourage you to limit personnel and travel expenses, because exaggerated expenditures for salaries and travel reduce chances for funding.
• Funds are allocated to non-political and non-governmental groups only. The implementing organization should be a local Armenian NGO. For-profit (business) companies, universities or state institutions can not apply.

Evaluation Criteria

• Formal requirements.
• Human Rights relevance of the project to Armenia’s needs and priorities. More sophisticated projects have a higher chance of success.
• Cost effectiveness and efficiency (including amount of co-financing).
• Feasibility and sustainability of project results.
• Effectiveness of project results, logic of the project.

For more information, visit Embassy of the Czech Republic in Yerevan.